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Broncos great offers motivation for high school players

Hall-of-famer Terrell Davis speaks at Castle View event

Terrell Davis spoke to a crowd of 550 during the Castle View Gridiron Club’s Back and Cats night on Aug. 18 at the Plum Creek Church in Castle Rock. During a question and answer session, Davis revealed he is afraid for himself about possible concussion effects but he would let his 6-year-old son play tackle football if he wants. Davis says strides have been made with practice limitations, tackling techniques and concussion awareness and he is comfortable with the safety measures that are being taken at all levels of organized football.

Jim Benton

Denver Broncos Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis shared his thoughts on the six core values to be a success with a group of 750 people during the Castle View Gridiron Club’s Back The Cats night on Aug. 18 at the Plum Creek Church in Castle Rock. Davis said the two most memorable plays in his career were the last play of Super Bowl 32 when John Mobley knocked down the pass to clinch the Broncos win over the Packers and the play in which he went over the 2,000-yard mark.

Jim Benton

Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis talks with Castle View football coach Dustin Pfeiffer prior to Davis' speech to the Castle View Gridiron Club's Back the Cats fundraising event on Aug. 18 at the Plum Creek Church in Castle Rock.

Denver Broncos hall of fame running back Terrell Davis started the Mile High Salute in the 1990s after he scored touchdowns to honor service men.

Davis received a salute of sort with a standing ovation after his 35-minute speech on Aug. 18 at the Castle View Gridiron Club’s Back the Cats evening, which was held at the Plum Creek church in Castle Rock.

The three-time all-pro player and two-time Super Bowl champion talked about the core values of virtue, trust, resilience, passion, accountability and belief. Those are also same values that the Castle View football team stresses.

“It was amazing having TD talk about Castle View football’s core values,” said Gridiron Club president Charles Oster. “I had dozens of people share their excitement after the event. Players in particular were grateful and excited.”

Davis, who was induced into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 5, also took part in a meet-and-greet session before his speech and answered questions from the audience afterward.

He enhanced his speech with personal stories. He recalled the time when he was 14 years old and had a shotgun pointed in his face, but the potential shooter was convinced by another party not to pull the trigger.

“That night told me I can’t put myself in situations that I’m guaranteed to lose,” Davis said. “From that day, I never put myself in those situations.

“It’s up to you to decide what kind of life you want to live. These six core values were instrumental in helping me achieve the goals I wanted to achieve. When things go a little south for us all, we just go back to our core values.”

“He didn’t always believe in himself and I’ve had some problems believing in myself,” Hermanstorfer said. “He said you just kind of have to flip that switch and it will change your game. It’s really empowering.”

There was an overflow crowd of 750 that attended the event, which helped raise funds to support the Castle View football program.

Most of the Castle View players in attendance weren’t born or were in cribs from 1995-2001, when Davis was becoming the Broncos’ all-time leading rusher.

“Yeah, I know who Terrell Davis is,” senior linebacker Heath Helms said. “Who doesn’t know? I was in a crib, but he’s one of my favorite players. I watch videos of him all the time.

“It was a great event. I feel like it gave a lot of motivation for the team. It brings a lot of good energy and maybe pumps the team up a little.”